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The Archbishop of Canterbury is among 43 bishops who have condemned government plans to change the benefits system (Picture: PA)

The Archbishop of Canterbury has written an open letter to a newspaper criticising government plans to alter the benefits system and said the changes would have a ‘deeply disproportionate’ effect on children.

The Most Rev Justin Welby is among 43 bishops who are against the proposed reforms and has warned ‘children and families will pay the price’ if plans to change the system go ahead in their current form, The Sunday Telegraph said.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu also backed the letter.

The move may come as a blow to Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, who is attempting to steer the reforms through Parliament.

He has said the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill, which will cap benefit rises at 1 per cent a year until 2016, is needed to help get spending ‘back under control’ and create a fairer deal for taxpayers.

Under attack: Iain Duncan Smith (Picture: PA)

But the archbishop, who will be formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on March 21, said the legislation would remove the protection given to families against the rising cost of living and could push 200,000 children into poverty.

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‘As a civilised society, we have a duty to support those among us who are vulnerable and in need,’ he said.

‘When times are hard, that duty should be felt more than ever, not disappear or diminish.

‘These changes will mean it is children and families who will pay the price for high inflation, rather than the government.’

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions added: ‘In difficult economic times we’ve protected the incomes of pensioners and disabled people, and most working age benefits will continue to increase 1%.

‘This was a tough decision but it’s one that will help keep the welfare bill sustainable in the longer term.

‘By raising the personal allowance threshold, we’ve lifted two million people out of tax altogether, clearly benefiting people on a low income.’